still couldn’t figure out why my 1982 headlight and taillight not working. All wires seemed attached. Plan to pull battery to have better look. Will generator be fine if I did connect battery. Think I might replace circuit breakers. Don’t know how to test them.

 

Did you check the fuse? I'm not familiar w your bike but normally lights are fused.

 

W82 ironhead uses circuit breakers Jumped two terminals still no light

 

Is there voltage at the breaker terminals. Use a volt meter or one of those wired bulb type probes and try to find where the voltage stops from the battery to breaker to lights. Might be coroded cable at battery or breaker.

 

That is where I am going. Red lead to circuit breaker getting voltage I get read out both ends of breaker. Not getting voltage to lights breaker. Thinking my switch might be problem. Hoping Robo74 will respond he ran thread with same problem. Thanks for help.

 

Sounds like this is getting narrowed down. Yes check the switch for voltage now. Is the switch just for lights or are you referring to the ignition switch?
could be corrosion there too.

 

Ignition switch. Key one click start second click lights. I have no headlamp or tail light. I have turn lights. Thanks for responding.

 

Found problem ignition switch shorting out. Is there a tool for removing locking collar ring. Hate to scratch chrome ring. Noticed two dimples that might accommodate a special tool.

 

There may well be a special tool, but you shouldn't need one IMHO. Find a suitable pair of pliers that will fit over that ring, then stick some duct tape or similar to the jaws, to protect the chrome. Carefully ease the pliers over the ring and gently unscrew. If it won't budge, apply some penetrating fluid and leave for a while, then try again. To refit do the reverse, but don't apply any more than a gentle tightening action.